IFC seeks to recruit a country manager – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| Job #: | req1837 |
| Organization: | IFC |
| Sector: | Other |
| Grade: | GH |
| Term Duration: | 3 years 0 months |
| Recruitment Type: | International Recruitment |
| Location: | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Required Language(s): | English |
| Preferred Language(s): |
Description :
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2018, we delivered more than $23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.
IFC is looking to recruit a Country Manager responsible for the following cluster of countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan. This position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Country Manager will play a critical role in operationalizing IFC 3.0/Creating Markets strategy and enabling the Cascade at a country level. He/she will be responsible, in close collaboration with the WBG counterparts, for developing operational country strategies and action plans and for driving their implementation. The Country Manager will oversee a very young portfolio of about US$10 million. This cluster of countries, most of which are designated as FCS, has a comprehensive and very active Advisory Services program and currently has a strong pipeline of investment commitments of around US$250 million (including mobilization) over the very short term. The prospects for continued growth in both investment and advisory activities are very good. While the cluster of countries may change, the mandate of the Country Manager will be to significantly build the portfolio, develop new opportunities for IFC in the countries and enhance our impact.
The Country Manager will be responsible for all of IFC’s activities in Ethiopia and the other countries in the cluster while managing a multidisciplinary team currently made up of 8 investment, advisory services and support staff on the ground and 38 STCs. This will require close interactions with corporate clients, governments, counterparts at the World Bank and other multilateral/bilateral institutions, as well as internal coordination within IFC with Industry Department Directors and Managers, Advisory Services Managers and constituent Executive Directors. The Country Manager will report to the Regional
Director, Eastern Africa :
Duties and Accountabilities :
- In consultation with the Regional Director, Eastern Africa, develop, design and implement multi-year country strategy and implementation plan for integrated investment and advisory operations, ;including sector priorities and business targets ;
- Form IFC’s views on macro situation and economic trends in the cluster of countries, based on local intelligence and inputs from the World Bank, IMF and other partners ;
- Oversee all IFC’s investment and advisory activities in the cluster of countries ;
- Lead the coordination with World Bank Group institutions and oversee with the regional industry managers (and other colleagues in IDA and MIGA) the design and implementation of the Joint Business Plans (JBPs) and other forms of proactive collaboration to enable the Cascade at the country level. Fully contribute and drive on behalf of IFC the development of Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs), Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs) and Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs) ;
- Manage and develop relationships with key clients (governments and private companies) at the highest level of seniority and position IFC as the partner of choice to support high development impact projects in the cluster of countries. Build up relationships with key stakeholders (including relevant regulators, businesses, NGOs, PE Funds, and investors) ;
- Identify and implement measures to improve country results in terms of efficiency, productivity, profitability and impact and increase its contribution to the corporate scorecard ;
- Lead, manage, develop and mentor an integrated and diverse team consisting of regional and industry staff, ensuring that the team is high-performing, well-motivated, innovative, well-trained; has clear deliverables; and is committed to the success of IFC in the country ;
- Identify areas where IFC can catalyze market development through innovation based on a thorough understanding of local markets and best practices from IFC’s global experience;
- Lead/coordinate the development of a client engagement strategy for existing and new clients ;
- Take accountability for early review and clearance of sponsors. For all investments and AS client’s programs, review and validate IFC’s added-value, development impact and fit with IFC strategy in the cluster of countries ;
- Manage investment teams and provide guidance for complex investment structuring and portfolio management cases; make early review and Investment review stage decisions, serve as transaction manager, and chair decision meetings as appropriate under an approved delegated authority framework, and/or carry out all Country Manager responsibilities under the prevailing accountability for decision making (ADM) matrix at IFC ;
- Develop IFC’s “brand”, building on IFC’s regional brand and the overall communications strategy; engage with local media ;
- Represent and provide visibility for IFC in the target markets including through organizing/participating in high profile events (Senior level visits, interviews, seminars and conferences) ;
- Lead origination efforts with the support of Industry Departments ;
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with Industry Departments to process and manage a pipeline of investments, and support proactive and strategic portfolio management, to meet IFC’s objectives ;
- Develop market knowledge to ensure that IFC is working with the right sponsors. Take accountability for client selection, ensure the integrity of potential clients and develop and maintain relationships with these companies to identify business opportunities considering IFC’s strategy, priorities and products ;
- Share accountability (with Industry Portfolio Managers) for the quality and performance of the Country Portfolio; work jointly with relevant managers to meet Scorecard targets in the country (Client Satisfaction, Productivity, Development Impact and People metrics) ;
- Provide administrative and HR management oversight ;
- Act as the Head of Security for the country responsible for WBG’s duty of care obligations to staff ;
- versee the crisis management team supported by the business continuity management program offices ;
- Appoint emergency wardens, security focal points and road safety focal points ;
- Coordinate security decisions with other affected Heads of Office across the WBG.
Selection Criteria :
- MBA or equivalent degree with at least 15 years of professional experience in strategy, finance, or advisory, e.g., commercial or investment banking, project finance, private equity and management consulting ;
- As an ambassador representing IFC in the country, the Country Manager must be a role model for ethical behavior values of IFC ;
- Strong client relationship management skills, with an existing network of relevant top-level contacts in the cluster of countries’ private and public sector and/or demonstrated ability to build such high-level client network ;
- Outstanding and proven track record of performance in investment and advisory activities ;
- Strong leadership capabilities and experience managing people, especially leading diverse and high performing teams ;
- Significant experience with proven success in developing client relationships ;
- Ability to represent IFC externally with government, media, clients, donors, and other stakeholders ;
- Ability to think strategically and adjust the country strategies as needed so that they remain responsive to the needs of client countries, and in coordination with development partners ;
- Experience in transaction processing and portfolio supervision a strong plus ;
- Work experience in the Africa region and a strong interest in developing a thorough understanding of the cluster of countries ;
- Ability to build successful relationships across the matrix ;
- Strong written and oral communications skills ;
- Recognized as a leader ;
- Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build IFC’s business and image in the market ;
- Meet Bank Group-wide managerial selection criteria including Courage of your convictions, Leading the team for impact, Influencing across boundaries, Fostering openness to new ideas, Building talent for the future.
The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.